Book Review: Far from the Madding Crowd (Thomas Hardy, 1874)

Wonderful book.  The language isn't too tough, and the message still rings today.  Sure, it's a romance at heart, and a nice one.  But there's also a story of personal struggle; of failure, floundering, seeking to gain a foothold in life, and finally succeeding by the sweat of one's own labor.

This was Thomas Hardy's second book, and first big success.  After Charles Dickens died in 1870, the public wanted a new Dickens.  They thought they found it in Hardy.  And for a few very well written books he did provide.

Book Review: Northanger Abbey, by Jane Austen (1817-1818)

Well this is it.  Jane Austen's first book.  The author of the great Pride and Prejudice which was possibly the best love story in all of 19th century literature.  So Northanger Abbey's got to be good.  I mean, you don't dare knock something this monumental.  But then I read it.

Meh.

On Book Reviews

I know, I know, you think much of this has been done before.  The problem with most readers (and reviewers) of classics is that they have all these preconceived notions, and are likely to give high marks to a book just because it's a "classic".  Gimme a break.  Some of these are silly, the plots are preposterous, and the coincidences - my God, the coincidences! - are just completely over the top.

Matt's Very First Post...on this blog

In one great fit of energy I deleted all my other blogs and am starting fresh and new, like a freakin' daisy or sum'n.  I never could decide on any specific topic, my teenage fear of commitment still lurks inside me.

This blog is about book reviews, random thoughts, and breaking into the literary world.  So The Literary Rambler not only fits well, but was actually available on Blogger.  I will try to bring order from my chaotic mind by starting book reviews with something inconceivable, like "Book Review".  Or sum'n.